my hunch is worth taking. Be
as nice as you can, Shefford. Lord knows it would be good for these poor
women if every last one of them fell in love with you. That won't hurt
them so long as you keep your head. Savvy? Perhaps I seem rough and
coarse to a man of your class. Well, that may be. But human nature is
human nature. And in this strange and beautiful place you might love
an Indian girl, let alone the Sago Lily. That's all. I sure feel better
with that load off my conscience. Hope I don't offend."

"No indeed. I thank you, Withers," replied Shefford, with his hand
on the trader's shoulder. "You are right to caution me. I seem to be
wild--thirsting for adventure--chasing a gleam. In these unstable days
I can't answer for my heart. But I can for my honor. These unfortunate
women are as safe with me as--as they are with you and Joe."

Withers uttered a blunt laugh.

"See here, son, look things square in the eye. Men of violent, lonely,
toilsome lives store up hunger for the love of woman. Love of a STRANGE
woman, if you want to put it that way. It's nature. It seems all the
beautiful young women in Utah are corralled in this valley. When I
come over here I feel natural, but I'm not happy. I'd like to make love
to--to that flower-faced girl. And I'm not ashamed to own it. I've told
Molly, my wife, and she understands. As for Joe, it's much harder for
him. Joe never has had a wife or sweetheart. I tell you he's sick, and
if I'd stay here a month I'd be sick."

Withers had spoken with fire in his eyes, with grim humor on his lips,
with uncompromising brutal truth. What he admitted was astounding to
Shefford, but, once spoken, not at all strange. The trader was a man who
spoke his inmost thought. And what he said suddenly focused Shefford's
mental vision clear and whole upon the appalling significance of the
tragedy of those women, especially of the girl whose life was lonelier,
sadder, darker than that of the others.

"Withers, trust me," replied Shefford.

"All right. Make the best of a bad job," said the trader, and went off
about his tasks.

Shefford and Withers attended the morning service, which was held in the
school-house. Exclusive of the children every inhabitant of the village
was there. The women, except the few eldest, were dressed in white and
looked exceedingly well. Manifestly they had bestowed care upon this
Sabbath morning's toilet. One thing surely this dress occasion brought
out, and it was ev